Mesa Criminal Defense Lawyer

Mesa is Arizona’s third-largest city, with a population exceeding 500,000 and a court system that processes thousands of criminal cases annually. Whether you’re facing a misdemeanor in Mesa Municipal Court or a felony in Maricopa County Superior Court, understanding your charges and building an effective defense strategy is essential to protecting your future.

Criminal charges in Mesa carry consequences that extend beyond the courtroom—affecting employment, housing, professional licensing, and personal relationships for years after a case concludes. Attorney Josh Lopez represents clients throughout Mesa and the East Valley facing the full spectrum of criminal charges, providing strategic defense backed by knowledge of local courts and prosecutors.

→ For comprehensive Arizona criminal law information, see: Arizona Criminal Defense
→ For Phoenix-area court information, see: Phoenix Criminal Defense Lawyer

Mesa Courts and Jurisdiction

Criminal cases in Mesa are handled by different courts depending on the severity of charges and the location of the alleged offense.

Mesa Municipal Court

Location: 225 E. Main Street, Mesa, AZ 85201

Mesa Municipal Court handles:

• Misdemeanor offenses occurring within Mesa city limits
• City ordinance violations
• Civil traffic violations
• DUI cases (misdemeanor level)
• Preliminary hearings for some felony matters

Mesa Municipal Court is one of the busiest municipal courts in Arizona, handling cases from Mesa’s diverse neighborhoods—from the historic downtown area to the sprawling residential communities of East Mesa, from the entertainment venues near Sloan Park to the university area surrounding Arizona State University’s Polytechnic campus.

Maricopa County Superior Court – Southeast Regional Center

Location: 222 E. Javelina Avenue, Mesa, AZ 85210

The Southeast Regional Center handles:

• Felony cases arising in Mesa and the East Valley
• Appeals from Mesa Municipal Court
• Probation violation hearings (felony cases)
• Family court matters

This facility serves Mesa, Gilbert, Chandler, Apache Junction, and surrounding East Valley communities, providing more convenient access than the downtown Phoenix courthouse for Mesa residents.

Mesa City Prosecutor vs. County Attorney

Mesa City Prosecutor: Handles misdemeanor cases in Mesa Municipal Court, including DUI, assault, domestic violence, theft, and disorderly conduct at the misdemeanor level.

Maricopa County Attorney: Handles all felony prosecutions. Serious charges—aggravated assault, aggravated DUI, felony theft, drug trafficking—are prosecuted by the County Attorney’s office in Superior Court.

Criminal Charges We Defend in Mesa

Attorney Josh represents clients facing charges across all areas of criminal law throughout Mesa and the East Valley.

DUI and Impaired Driving

Mesa Police Department actively enforces DUI laws, particularly along major corridors like Main Street, Country Club Drive, and routes surrounding entertainment venues. Even a first-offense DUI in Arizona carries mandatory jail time.

Charges include:

• Standard DUI (ARS § 28-1381)
• Extreme DUI (BAC 0.15%+)
• Super Extreme DUI (BAC 0.20%+)
• Aggravated DUI (felony)
• Drug DUI

→ Mesa DUI Lawyer
→ Arizona DUI Laws

Domestic Violence

Domestic violence is a designation that attaches to underlying offenses when the alleged victim and defendant have a qualifying relationship. Mesa Police respond to thousands of domestic calls annually, and Arizona’s mandatory arrest policy means many disputes result in criminal charges.

Common DV charges:

• DV Assault
• DV Disorderly Conduct
• DV Criminal Damage
• Aggravated Domestic Violence (third offense)
• Violation of Order of Protection

→ Mesa Domestic Violence Lawyer
→ Arizona Domestic Violence Laws

Assault and Violent Crimes

Assault charges range from misdemeanor simple assault to felony aggravated assault. Mesa sees assault charges arising from bar altercations downtown, disputes in residential neighborhoods, road rage incidents on the US-60 and Loop 202, and altercations at sporting events.

Charges include:

• Simple Assault (ARS § 13-1203)
• Aggravated Assault (ARS § 13-1204)
• Threatening or Intimidating
• Endangerment

→ Mesa Assault Lawyer
→ Arizona Assault Laws

Theft and Property Crimes

Mesa’s retail centers—from Superstition Springs Center to Mesa Riverview—see significant theft enforcement. Arizona classifies theft primarily by the value of property taken.

Charges include:

• Theft (ARS § 13-1802)
• Shoplifting (ARS § 13-1805)
• Theft of Means of Transportation
• Burglary
• Robbery

→ Phoenix Theft Lawyer
→ Arizona Theft Laws

Drug Offenses

Drug charges in Mesa range from possession for personal use to trafficking. Arizona’s Proposition 200 provides treatment alternatives for first and second personal possession offenses.

Charges include:

• Drug Possession
• Possession for Sale
• Drug Trafficking
• Paraphernalia

→ Phoenix Drug Defense Lawyer
→ Arizona Drug Crimes

Disorderly Conduct and Public Order Offenses

Disorderly conduct is one of the most commonly charged offenses in Mesa, covering conduct from fighting to unreasonable noise to “disturbing the peace.”

Charges include:

• Disorderly Conduct (ARS § 13-2904)
• Criminal Trespass
• Public Intoxication-related offenses

→ Phoenix Disorderly Conduct Lawyer

Protective Orders

Being served with an Order of Protection affects where you can live, your contact with family members, and your firearm rights.

→ Phoenix Order of Protection Lawyer

Probation Violations

A probation violation allegation can result in revocation and imposition of the original suspended sentence.

→ Phoenix Probation Lawyer

Traffic Crimes

Certain traffic offenses are criminal matters with potential jail time.

Charges include:

• Reckless Driving (ARS § 28-693)
• Criminal Speeding
• Hit and Run

→ Phoenix Reckless Driving Lawyer
→ Phoenix Hit and Run Lawyer

Common Criminal Scenarios in Mesa

Downtown Mesa Entertainment District

Mesa’s revitalized downtown area—centered around Main Street—hosts restaurants, bars, and entertainment venues that generate DUI, assault, and disorderly conduct charges, particularly on weekends and during special events.

Sloan Park and Spring Training

Sloan Park, home of the Chicago Cubs’ Spring Training, brings thousands of visitors to Mesa each spring. The combination of baseball, alcohol, and crowds generates DUI and public order charges during the Cactus League season.

Superstition Springs and Retail Areas

Mesa’s major retail centers see significant shoplifting and theft enforcement. Loss prevention teams work closely with Mesa Police, and cases are regularly prosecuted.

ASU Polytechnic Area

The university presence in East Mesa creates a younger population demographic and associated enforcement patterns, including underage alcohol offenses and drug charges.

Residential Neighborhoods

Mesa’s extensive residential areas—from the established neighborhoods near downtown to the newer developments in East Mesa—generate domestic violence calls, neighbor disputes, and property crime allegations.

US-60 and Loop 202 Corridors

Major highways through Mesa see DUI enforcement, particularly during holiday weekends and late-night hours. Road rage incidents on these busy corridors also result in assault and reckless driving charges.

Arizona Criminal Classifications and Penalties

Misdemeanor Classifications

Class	Maximum Jail	Maximum Fine	Examples
Class 1	6 months	$2,500	DUI, Assault, Shoplifting (under $1,000)
Class 2	4 months	$750	Reckless Driving, Criminal Trespass 2nd
Class 3	30 days	$500	Criminal Trespass 3rd

Felony Classifications

Class	Presumptive (First Offense)	Range	Examples
Class 6	1 year	4 months – 2 years	Aggravated DUI, Theft $1,000-$2,000
Class 5	1.5 years	6 months – 2.5 years	Theft $2,000-$3,000
Class 4	2.5 years	1.5 – 3.75 years	Aggravated Assault, Burglary 3rd
Class 3	3.5 years	2.5 – 8.75 years	Burglary 2nd, Drug Sales
Class 2	5 years	4 – 12.5 years	Armed Robbery, Drug Trafficking

Prior felony convictions significantly increase sentencing ranges. Dangerous offenses (involving weapons or serious injury) carry mandatory prison terms.

The Criminal Defense Process in Mesa

1. Arrest or Citation

Depending on the offense, you may be arrested and booked at the Mesa City Jail or cited and released with a court date.

2. Initial Appearance / Arraignment

At your first court appearance in Mesa Municipal Court:

• The judge advises you of the charges
• You enter an initial plea (typically “not guilty”)
• Release conditions are set
• Future court dates are scheduled

3. Discovery and Investigation

Defense receives evidence from the prosecution. Defense investigation may uncover additional evidence favorable to your case.

4. Pretrial Motions

The defense may file motions to suppress evidence or dismiss charges based on constitutional violations or insufficient evidence.

5. Negotiation

Most cases resolve through negotiation. Outcomes may include dismissal, reduction to lesser offense, or plea agreements with favorable terms.

6. Trial

If no resolution is reached, the case proceeds to trial. You have the right to jury trial for offenses carrying jail time.

7. Sentencing

If convicted, sentencing considers offense classification, criminal history, and aggravating/mitigating factors.

Why Local Experience Matters in Mesa

Knowledge of Mesa Municipal Court

Mesa Municipal Court has specific procedures, judicial preferences, and courtroom practices. Understanding how cases move through this system informs defense strategy.

Familiarity with Mesa Prosecutors

The Mesa City Prosecutor’s office handles high volumes of cases and has established patterns for how they approach different charge types. This knowledge affects negotiation strategy.

Understanding Mesa Police Practices

Mesa Police Department enforcement patterns—where they focus resources, how they conduct investigations, what evidence they typically gather—provide context for building effective defenses.

East Valley Community Knowledge

Understanding Mesa’s neighborhoods, traffic patterns, and community dynamics helps contextualize cases and present effective defenses.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I do if I’m arrested in Mesa?

Exercise your rights. State clearly that you wish to remain silent and want to speak with an attorney. Do not answer questions about the alleged offense without legal counsel present. Do not resist arrest—challenges to the arrest should be made in court.

Where is Mesa Municipal Court located?

Mesa Municipal Court is located at 225 E. Main Street, Mesa, AZ 85201, in downtown Mesa near the intersection of Main Street and Center Street.

Will my Mesa case go to the downtown Phoenix courthouse?

Misdemeanor cases stay in Mesa Municipal Court. Felony cases may be heard at the Southeast Regional Center in Mesa (222 E. Javelina Avenue) rather than the downtown Phoenix courthouse, providing more convenient access for Mesa residents.

How long will my Mesa criminal case take?

Misdemeanor cases typically resolve within a few months. Felony cases take longer—often 6 months to over a year for complex matters or cases proceeding to trial.

Can criminal charges be dismissed in Mesa?

Yes. Charges may be dismissed due to insufficient evidence, constitutional violations, witness problems, or successful pretrial motions. An attorney can evaluate your case for potential paths to dismissal.

Do I need a lawyer for a misdemeanor charge in Mesa?

An attorney is strongly recommended for any criminal charge. Even misdemeanor convictions create permanent criminal records affecting employment, housing, professional licensing, and immigration status.

Contact a Mesa Criminal Defense Attorney

If you are facing criminal charges in Mesa, early intervention can significantly affect the outcome. Attorney Josh Lopez provides consultations to review your case, explain your options, and develop a defense strategy tailored to your situation.

Attorney Josh represents clients throughout Mesa and the East Valley, with knowledge of Mesa Municipal Court and the Maricopa County court system.

Scottsdale Office:
6991 East Camelback Rd, Suite D-300
Scottsdale, AZ 85251

Phoenix Office:
2601 N 3rd Street, Suite 301
Phoenix, AZ 85004

Call (480) 386-1824 or complete the contact form to schedule your free consultation.